Next man up
- Updated: September 5, 2020
Shorthanded Jacksonville gets a big game from Adams, turns back Anniston in region opener
By East Alabama Sports Today
JACKSONVILLE – In a year when flexibility and resilience are as important as any page in the playbook, the Jacksonville Golden Eagles are proving they can pivot on a peanut.
The Golden Eagles were without several players for various reasons (including coronavirus exposure), including sophomore quarterback Jim Ogle, but they had enough prep time to make the proper adjustments and with a huge game from Omarion “Peanut” Adams beat Anniston 29-18 in their region opener Friday night.
Jacksonville coach Clint Smith declined to comment on the status of Ogle, but without their quarterback the Golden Eagles (2-1) had more of a wildcat look on offense. They rushed for 354 yards and the few times they did throw it, they were 3-for-3.
“It was a great win coming off a loss last week to Alexandria, having to regroup and just work to get better this week,” Smith said. “We had to overcome some adversity and things changed up suddenly, but I think our kids and coaches did a good job of handling that.
“We had to make some adjustment to our offense. We had guys we had to play in some different positions and move some guys around, but our guys really adjusted well this week in practice, just having to do things they weren’t accustomed to doing and doing what they had to do for our team to get that big win.
“We had several guys we had to move to different positions offensive and defensively and that’s why I felt tonight was truly a team effort. We had a good week of practice and prep. We knew what we were going to do early in the week so we had some days to get everybody in place and get our game plan executed.”
The one constant in a sea of change was Adams. He rushed for 203 yards on 13 carries, scored two touchdowns on long runs, caught a pass for another score, completed two passes, had two nice kickoff returns of about 25 yards and was his usual big disruption on defense. In short, he did everything but sell popcorn at halftime.
“Peanut was the best player on the field tonight; he just did an awesome job of playing,” Smith said. “He doesn’t come off the field a whole lot and he did a really good job tonight. He’s just a very talented player.”
Taj Morris was equally impressive. He rushed for 143 yards, broke off an 80-yard touchdown run and threw a touchdown pass to Adams.
“I can’t brag on the kids enough,” Smith said. “This is just a year of adapting and being able to pivot and change and being able to handle those situations. I was proud of that. Our kids played hard tonight, a lot of kids did a lot of good things.”
Smith isn’t certainly how long these personnel issues will persist. Until the tide turns the Golden Eagles are doing everything “by the book and everything that should be done” to keep his players safe and prepared for the next game.
“It’s like what I talked to the team about: This season is about being able to overcome adversity, to change and pivot and the things you’ve got to do,” he said. “You can’t get rattled when things come up on you. Everybody’s got to be prepared because you never know when your number ‘s going to be called on to do something you’ve done your whole career or something new.
“It’s about being flexible and having multiple plans in place and that’s where we are.”
JACKSONVILLE 29, ANNISTON 18
Anniston 6 0 0 12 – 18
Jacksonville 0 13 9 7 – 29
A – Kevontae Davis 38 pass from Kamron Sandlin (run failed), 1:29 1Q
J – Omarion Adams 69 run (PAT failed), 10:19 2Q
J – Omarion Adams 77 run (Terrell Mason kick), 1:26 2Q
J – Safety, punt blocked in end zone, 7:21 3Q
J – Omarion Adams 28 pass from Taj Morris (Terrell Mason kick), 5:22 3Q
A – Brandon Roberts 67 run (run failed), 8:27 4Q
J – Taj Morris 80 run (Terrell Mason kick), 4:46 4Q
A – Brandon Roberts 6 run (pass failed), 2:12 4Q
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